The lines were farther apart where we were at this time than over on the right near the Appomattox River, and the pickets used to meet on friendly terms under the cover of darkness. Of course there were strict orders against it, but they were disobeyed nightly and the men met and swapped stories, coffee for tobacco, newspapers, etc., and went back to their lines and were shooting at each other again the next day.
LINCOLN AT THE FRONT.
President Lincoln made a visit to the front about this time and was enthusiastically received.
The men knew by his looks, his kind words to the sick and wounded that he was in deep sympathy with them, and I think his presence was of untold benefit to the rank and file of the army.
DRUMMED OUT OF CAMP.
The only man I ever saw drummed out of camp was down in front of Petersburg. He was a coward, and large placards proclaiming the fact were suspended from his neck, one on his breast and the other on his back, his head was shaved and a fifer and drummer marched him all through the division to the tune of the “Rogue’s March,” and then he was given a dishonorable discharge and sent home.
CAVALRY VS. HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Among the deserters from our company when we were in the forts, at Washington, was one whom we met more than a year later.
One day, on the march as we were taking a few moments rest by the roadside a regiment of cavalry came along and halted opposite us. All at once one of our boys exclaimed “Well, I’ll be blowed if there isn’t Sam P——,” and sure enough there was our long lost Sam sitting astride of a horse.